Get on Tract!

I just returned home from spending the morning with a faithful few at Emmanuel giving out tracts around town. What an amazing time it was! It seems like the best times doing evangelism are the small events where we just get together and go out and meet people. We try to set up large events, fun events, at church events, and all kinds of things to create opportunities for members to share the gospel with the lost. But it seems the most successful (read: faithful) times are when we keep it simple and just get the gospel to people with little extra fanfare. Today was definitely one of those.

We started this morning meeting together to discuss some places we could go and share ideas on how to hand out tracts. Excitement spread around the room as people thought of great ways to get the gospel into the hands of the people. With a table full of tracts, everyone was armed with an entire arsenal of gospel ammunition.

After some time in prayer for courage and faithfulness from our team and soft hearts readied for the gospel, our team parted ways throughout town to plant gospel seeds. Rev Kev spent the morning visiting contacts he had previously made in shopping for tractors. He was able to give away small booklets on heaven while getting the chance to share the gospel with a broken hearted acquaintance. Kevin also found out by sharing tracts that one person already professed to be a Christian and even had the privilege of leading his son to Christ the previous night. Kevin was able to rejoice with him in that.

Jeremy and Jake went downtown to start some conversation at the international food store. They tried to mingle with the locals a bit, but found some difficulty when they didn't understand the language they were using. The left some tracts anyway. The two of them also went to the library to leave some tracts and got the opportunity to share a little with the piano teacher when they returned to church.

Molly and I scoured the Galleria downtown and also the Apache Mall. We placed a few dozen tracts around the area and even thought of a few more clever places (ATMs, books, newspapers, public chairs). We hit up a local bookstore and placed a few gospel tracts in the religion books.






The Murrays went to some stores to do some shopping this morning and they loaded up on over 50 tracts. The boys put tracts in boxes and handed out tracts while their parents did the shopping. As they checked out of the stores, the cashiers were invited to church and given the gospel on a tract. The boys were so excited about telling people about Jesus that they had to be told to slow down a bit. But they just had to keep going. They put some 10 Commandment coins in and under vending machines where kids just love to look for spare change.

David also had a fruitful morning as he was able to have conversations with 4 different people at the mall food court. He did a survey asking some questions of people to get some information for his dissertation and was able to share some gospel tracts during the conversations. He was extremely excited about being able to walk through the gospel so easily with these people. Everyone was so friendly and not even close to antagonistic to the message. David said the time flew by so fast because the conversations went so well.

At noon, we all met back at the fellowship hall for a fantastic taco lunch prepared by Julie and Lexi. We shared our battle stories and rejoiced together for God's power in working through us. The Murray boys filled their pockets with more tracts and begged to be able to go back out and share more about Jesus so others could go to heaven too. Praise God for the faith of children!

Please pray for those who heard the gospel today. Pray that God's Word convicts and brings repentance to softened hearts. Pray also for the gospel tracts that are still out there. Many people have given testimonies of being saved by stumbling across gospel tracts. And finally pray for faithfulness in all of our lives to be more obedient to God's Great Commission. Praise God for using such simple things and broken people to bring glory to Himself!

The Holiness of God - Review

Isaiah (chapter 6) once got a glimpse of God's holiness and immediately cried out, "Woe is me. I am undone." Moses (Exodus 33) asked to see God's face and He replied, "No man can see God's face and live." The disciples trembled in fear after witnessing Christ's display of control over nature (Mark 4:35-41). These men instantly understood their place in the universe when they were confronted with the awesome holiness of their Creator.

In The Holiness of God, R.C. Sproul unfolds the incredible nature of the mysterious attribute called God's holiness. Of all God's characteristics described in the Scriptures, none is so beyond our understanding as His holiness. When we think of God we often consider His love, grace, or kindness, but Sproul notes an interesting emphasis placed in Scripture. "The Bible never says that God is love, love, love, or mercy, mercy, mercy; or wrath, wrath, wrath; or justice, justice, justice. It does say that He is holy, holy, holy, that the whole earth is full of His glory." (pg. 26)

The book describes God's holiness as being separate, high above what we are. To be holy is to be of supreme and absolute greatness. Holiness is not just another attribute in a list of what God is like; it is all that God is. Holiness encompasses everything we understand about God and far beyond. God's love, grace, justice, mercy, wrath, kindness, righteousness, power, perfection, deity are all expressed as part of God's holiness. "When we call things holy when they are not holy, we commit the sin of idolatry. We give to common things the respect, awe, worship, and adoration that belong only to God." (pg. 40)

R.C. Sproul throughout the book discusses aspects of God's holiness and the effect it has on the lives of His creatures. He expounds on Biblical examples of the LORD's holiness revealed. He takes a look at how great men of God in history, Martin Luther and Jonathan Edwards, were transformed and proclaimed holiness. Luther went from a Catholic monk who feared the holiness of God, to understanding faith in Christ and longing for His holiness. Edwards was a man who did not falter in preaching every aspect of God including His wrath, justice, love, and mercy, in his sermon, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God."

It is wise for us to study the holiness of our God and Savior. The more we understand who God is, the better we grasp our true place in creation. We recognize how utterly sinful we are and how righteous God is; how helpless we are and how powerful God is; how empty we are and how wonderful God is. "We may dislike giving our attention to God's wrath and justice, but until we incline ourselves to these aspects of God's nature, we will never appreciate what has been wrought for us by grace" (pg. 183). We should, at the same time, both fear His holiness and

yearn for it; knowing that only His holiness can save us from the consequences of our unholiness.
The lives of many professed Christians seem so tiresome and dull. They see nothing exciting about being a Christian and worshipping the sovereign King of the universe. Often these people fall away, revealing they never truly knew who God is (1 John 2:19). "It is difficult for many people to find worship a thrilling and moving experience. We note here, when God appeared in the temple, the doors and the thresholds were moved. The inert matter of doorposts, the inanimate thresholds, the wood and metal that could neither hear nor speak had the good sense to be moved by the presence of God." (pg. 26) "People do not normally feel [overwhelmed] in church. There is no sense of awe, no sense of being in the presence of One who makes us tremble. People in awe never complain that church is boring." (pg. 137) The Holiness of God will be a book that will bring a sense of awe into your relationship with your Savior.

When People Are Big and God is Small - Review

The fear of man is a lot larger reality in our lives that we believe. "If you want to know whether or not you fear God, note your reaction when good things are taken from you." (pg. 114) "Fear of man is such a part of our human fabric that we should check for a pulse if someone denies it.' (pg 17) Do you want to see the fear of man rear its head? Start talking to people about evangelism. In our culture it is often labeled by other names; peer pressure, people-pleasing, codependency, pride, introversion, self-pity, etc. Edward T. Welch writes in When People Are Big and God is Small that we all have a fear of man and explains that freedom from it has three parts: a biblically informed knowledge of God, other people, and ourselves. He breaks down these three into steps that help reveal the sinful fear of others in our lives and replace it with a godly fear.

Rightfully, Edward Welch begins and spends much of the book describing the amazing attributes of God explaining, "The most radical treatment for the fear of man is the fear of the Lord" (pg. 19). God is a lot bigger than we can even begin to imagine. "Scripture speaks of unimaginable love alongside holy anger. God is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love, but he also does not leave the guilty unpunished" (pg. 103) We need to understand all sides of God's holiness; His grace, love, and mercy, balanced with justice, anger, and wrath. God is awesome, powerful, beautiful and His handiwork is displayed everywhere. Many of today's sermons in America feed into self-centered thinking by providing self-help sermons. "The result [of too many application sermons] is that our goal can be self-improvement rather than the glory of the Holy God. We need more sermons that leave us trembling." (pg. 96) "A growing knowledge of God displaces the fear of people, and it casts out our tendency to be casual with our secret sins." (pg. 107)

Another step in overcoming the fear of man is having a biblical understanding of ourselves and others. It is important for us to realize how sinful we are and that our dependency is on God not on others. Welch says we ascribe too often God's attributes to other people, "People are our favorite idol. We exalt them and their perceived power above God. We worship them as ones who have God-like exposing gazes or God-like ability to "fill" us with esteem, love, admiration, acceptance, respect, and other psychological desires" (pg. 45). He states that too often we worry that other people will think we are fanatics, that we are stupid, or that they won't respond to us the way we want (fear of people), instead of being more concerned about our own sin and obeying God (fear of God). We then begin to make excuses for our fear of man, calling our sins "shortcomings," saying we are only human, or appealing to the majority for decisions. Instead of living godly we give in because we fear others. In reference to this, Edward Welch makes this convicting statement, "Sometimes we would prefer to die for Jesus than to live for Him." (pg. 39) He declares that "what we fear shows our allegiances. It shows where we put our trust. It shows who is big in our lives." (pg. 47)

When People Are Big and God is Small is a great book that dives into the excuses we make for the fear of man and the remedies for them. The heart of the book is the gospel message, which Welch digs deep into and reveals a better understanding of the gospel than a basic 'Romans Road' presentation describes. He says, "The good news of Jesus is not intended to make us feel good about ourselves. Instead, the good news humbles us" (pg. 146). Throughout the book we find out that we are more sinful than "all fall short" leads us to believe. We take every second of blessing from God and lace it with sin (boasting, self-pity, lies, fear, worry, lust, coveting, etc.). We are idol factories, exaggerating the power of people over us and ascribing them the ability to fulfill our desires. We "stretch the truth" to make ourselves more comfortable in a situation and justify it by saying we are only human or others just don't understand the situation. We create a perceived need in our eyes (more accurately a lust), and make justifications for desiring something God hasn't granted us. When discussing the holiness of God, the sinfulness of man, and the good news of Christ's death and resurrections the author states, "When the fear of the Lord matures in you, Christ becomes irresistible" (pg. 123).

In the book, Welch gets right to the root of these issues, lays out God's wonderful news of His love and transforming power, and offers practical advice on steadily overcoming the fear of others. "THE problem is clear: People are too big in our lives and God is too small. The answer is straightforward: We must learn to know that our God is more loving and more powerful than we ever imagined." (pg. 113)

You and You Alone

The fifth installment of the Overflow series, You and You Alone, represents the collaborative work of the Sczebel family. As a long-time contributor to congregational worship, and within the last decade, to Sovereign Grace Music, Pat Sczebel does indeed fulfill the mission of Sovereign Grace Ministries, which is to "provide doctrinally rich, Christ-exalting, contemporary songs for worship."

I will admit, however, that upon my first few samplings of this recording, it seemed too contemporary, in that its raw, unfinished production seemed a bit like a garage band demo, at points. The opening cut, "Trust in You," seemed to evidence the effeminate vocals that have grown popular in the independent music scene. Nevertheless, most, if not all, of the songs were registered in a singable key, and espoused Christocentric text.

More importantly, though, the Biblical centering abounds, from the atoning work of Christ in "The Greatest of All," to the portrayal of Christ's sacrifice in "Lord, You Are Gracious." I especially appreciate the dependence upon God evidenced in the faith-filled cries of "Trust in You," "Yesterday, Today, and Forever," and "In You." With references to Christ as our "strong tower" and "rest," You and You Alone portrays the worshiper as in persistent need of the Savior.

He is made desirous as well, as "Jesus, You Are Beautiful" best exemplifies. I love the dynamic contrast this song offers between its plaintive cry of "You are beautiful" and the surprisingly excitable bridge that elevates the appeal to a heightened sense of authenticity. Such transparency is also seen in the genuine worship found in "You Alone," while "You Are Good" makes real the everyday interaction we can enjoy with Christ.

For my immediate context, however, I think the most accessible songs on this album are "The Greatest of All" and "I Surrender All." They both lend a contemporary feel to some grand old hymns, those being "Redeemed, How I Love To Proclaim It" and "I Surrender All," respectively. I can especially appreciate the rendering of "Redeemed, How I Love to Proclaim It," as its syncopation morphs a rousing, tent revival tune into a worshipful and better-paced chorus. Interestingly, the reprise of "I Surrender All" lends itself all too perfectly to such a setting, as the final cut hearkens back to those campfire meetings that almost always devolved into a round or two of "Kum Ba Yah." Congregational to a fault, I suppose, though I would certainly more rather err in this direction than the current tendency of CCM towards egocentricity and consumer Christianity. Thank you, Pat Sczebel and co., for demonstrating an ability to synchronize this generation's stylings with the eternal worthiness of our Lord.

The Power of the Gospel

This was my first opportunity to attend our annual Empower Conference, and it was quite a treat. Dr. Roy Fish, a longtime speaker at this Conference, was the Keynote Speaker this year, and I can’t have imagined a better one. He delivered message after convicting message of the great need of our sharing the gospel. One particularly challenging story was related within the context of John 4, as Dr. Fish focused especially on verses 35-38. His point was that both those who sow the gospel and those who reap its hearers are accorded equal value in the kingdom of God. The following story certainly drove home the point for me, as it has challenged me afresh to share the gospel, even in the one or two minutes I may have with my cashier, for example.
Dr. Fish told of an elderly gentleman who lived along George Street in Australia, and did nothing more than ask the simple question of those passing by, “If you were to die tonight, do you know for sure where you would go in eternity?” With another few statements of very brief explanation, he was again on his way. That was it. This gentlemen never even saw one person come to faith in Christ, in the many, many years in which he did this.
As a worldwide evangelist caught wind of this story, he began to share it in the various areas of the world where he preached. And, it often happened that someone who heard the story would share that that was exactly how they got saved: a little old man in Australia shared the Gospel with them on George Street. It turned out that this grand sower, though never having seen the fruit of his labor, had made a worldwide impact.
This was a particularly challenging message for me, and I pray it is for you as well. It’s very encouraging as well, that God can use even the simplest servant, if they are but obedient. We so often struggle to share the gospel, when God is willing to do the “hard” part, if we’ll just act in obedience. I pray we begin to see more and more tales of “George Street” encounters. I’m confident He will reward His faithful servant, and we will enjoy the unique privilege of fulfilling our purpose in this world, and pleasing our Savior.

Don't be a wimp

Do you want to feel more united to Jesus right now, brother? Do the hard thing, the thing that makes you wince. Do it for God. Do it wherever the holy discomfort lies. You will feel the brotherhood in a more profound way than yesterday. This is the yell of the heart for every true God’s man: I didn’t want some petty, inferior brand of righteousness that comes from keeping a list of rules when I could get the robust kind that comes from trusting Christ- God’s righteousness. I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him to death.

Pg 89 Dream, by Kenny Luck

A New Earth is a dangerous book

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle is likely to be a popular book for contemporary readers with a spiritual interest. Eckhart Tolle is also the author of the recent #1 New York Times’ best selling book, The Power of Now. A New Earth is the topic of discussion for a world-wide web event, sponsored by Oprah, which lasts for ten weeks beginning in March of 2008.

Oprah said on her television show that her “…goal in life is to get people to think for themselves, in a way that they know who they are…But the main point of the show all these years is to try to bring a sense of self-actualization to my audience, that’s what I’m trying to do. This book, and I’ve read lots of spiritual books over the years, this book is the best in it’s genre I’ve ever seen in terms of clarity and it’s ability to get people to see the light of who they are. And also once you see that you stop wasting time.”

This book that Oprah calls the best she has seen is a dangerous book because it will end up serving as a spiritual guide for persons who are seeking self-actualization. The problem is that the author’s goal is not just to help readers have better thoughts or be happier or relate better with others, but to provide a spiritual guide to help readers find truth. This is where the book fails. If the book simply offered self-help advice to improve ones behavior or to overcome bad thinking patterns, it would not be so dangerous. Many of the author’s illustrations and examples are true and helpful. But his spiritual conclusions are unacceptable.

1) The book misses the point of human existence. The author contends that the purpose of human existence is to bring the power of the awareness of the present moment into existence. He declares the reason for our existence is to bring the dimension of the consciousness of our own presence into the world and that we are to do that with the other people around us because the purpose of humanity is for individuals to be awakened.

2) The book also misleads readers by presenting all religions as equal. Tolle repeatedly refers to leaders from multiple religions like Jesus, Buddha, or Zen as if they were similar or equal. The result of viewing all religions as equal is that no religion ends up having a valid claim on truth. Tolle is upfront with his aversion to absolute truth. He embraces no absolute truth, truth that is true for all people for all times.

3) The book ends up mocking absolute truth. The writer says that the quicker you are in attaching verbal or mental labels to things, people, and situations the more shallow and lifeless you become. In other words, making definitive, absolute statements marks you as a shallow person.

The author continues his reasoning by contending that churches have been correct when they identify relativism (a belief that there is no absolute truth) as one of the evils of our time. But in an ironic twist, while the author agrees that relativism is evil, he declares it evil because we have looked for truth in the wrong place. The author says truth cannot be found in doctrines or rules or stories. The discerning Christian realizes immediately that doctrines and rules and stories largely define the word of God, the Bible. The Bible is the story of God making the world and coming into the world to save it. The Bible claims to be the rule of life. The Bible tells us how to bring glory to God and to fulfill our purpose in life. The Bible is doctrine. Doctrine simply means teaching, and the Bible is full of teaching.

Tolle says that there is only one truth and all other truths emanate from it. The truth is inseparable from who you are, yes, you are the truth. In the ongoing mockery of absolute truth, the author writes that even the mental labels of good and bad are an illusion. Why? Because every thought implies a perspective and every perspective is limited and therefore the perspective cannot be true.

4) A New Earth also redefines spiritual terms. The word sin is in the book, but to Tolle, sin is not really wrong, it is more like a problem. Tolle resists labels of right and wrong and prefers to see people as simply having problems or dysfunctions that they can work on to make them better people.

Tolle promotes strange definitions of common terms as well. He defines love as the ability to recognize yourself in another. He writes that something is defined as true when it resonates and expresses your innermost being. He defines the foundation for a new heaven and a new earth as an awakened consciousness that is within you.

Interestingly the book does have a number of Bible references. Of the 31 footnotes in the book, over half of them are from the Bible. The frequent use of Scripture looks like an attempt for the author to validate his own words but in the end diminishes the words of Christ. The author refers to things like “the cares of the world” and “forgive them for they know not what they do” and the “kingdom of heaven.”

Many of the Bible verses in book appear to support what the author is saying, but are used largely out of context. For example, “poor in spirit” from the Sermon on the Mount is defined by Tolle as having no inner baggage and no identification with outside objects. The author writes that the “kingdom of heaven” is letting go of your identifications and suggests that heaven is inside of you. The author says that “God is love” is not absolutely correct. In a major redefining of spiritual terms, God is defined as “one life in and beyond countless forms of life.”

5) The most dangerous feature of the book is that it mixes excellent, insightful truth with dangerous, erroneous spiritual conclusions. In fairness to the author, he provides good insight into numerous issues. He provides good insight into parents who cannot let go of their children, as well as children who crave their parent’s approval in an unhealthy way. The author explains that much unhappiness stems from background experiences that continue to generate bad thoughts in the present moment for the thinker. These discussions are true and helpful.

The author has good insight into how pride (although the author would call it “ego”) often causes us to strike out at others, and in the end, we end up hurting ourselves. The author correctly compares TV addiction to drugs and alcohol, and also has good insight about the advanced maturity of children who have faced great difficulty. These insights and illustrations are excellent examples of the authors incredible insight. But without absolute truth, right and wrong, and good and bad, this insight is futile because it is remains merely subjected to ones own perspective.

6) Finally, it is disconcerting for the author to refer to human beings with a phrase that Christ and God used to refer to themselves. God said in the Old Testament He was the “I AM.” Jesus affirmed in the New Testament that He as well was the “I AM”. Tolle on several occasions refers to the readers and his own “I AM-ness.” He writes, “The presence that you are, the timeless I AM, can recognize itself in another.” Thankfully the author does not claim to be the great “I AM”, but will make some readers uncomfortable by using I Am phraseology in referring to human beings.

To borrow a few words from another writer, the danger of the book is that this new, positive-thinking spirituality is easily embraced by the empty souls in the post-modern world around us. Tolle’s “new spirituality” offers meaning without truth, acceptance without judgment, and fulfillment without self denial. In the end, Tolle attempts to offer a better life with self as God. For the Christian, this is not only unthinkable, it is impossible.

Today's History Lesson

I'd like to tell you all a brief tale of St. Alban, that we might gain a broader perspective of God's kingdom. This story hearkens back to 304 AD.

England's first Christian martyr, Alban, came to faith in Christ through the visible testimony of a minister named Amphibalus, who he was giving refuge from the pagan Roman authorities. Intrigued by their conversations (note: demonstrated AND articulated faith), Alban asked to be baptized. When confronted by the authorities, in whose army Alban served, Alban said, "I worship and adore the true and living God who created all things," and, later, "know that I am now a Christian and devote myself to Christian service." That he did, perishing at the sword of his executioner. In fact, it is said that the first executioner who was to take his life also was converted to Christ, and so became the 2nd martyr of Britain, with Amphibalus turning himself in as the 3rd, since Alban had given his life to cover for Amphibalus.

What tremendous dedication and deep sacrifice! May we be found willing when called to sacrifice. Presumably not our lives, but certainly our pride, our wishes, and our presumptions. May He be first, in all we do, truly!

Lord, Increase Our Faith

"The Bible has not changed, but whoever reads it, he is changed."

This statement was made by a young Pakistani boy recently at a special assembly called at his public school. His school is in the Punjab province, which is along the Pakistani-Afghanistan border, a stronghold of the radical Islamic movement and purportedly where Bin Laden is presently hiding. Amidst a sea of radical Muslim students, this boy stood for Truth, as his teacher stated the New Testament of the Christians has been changed so much that there is nothing correct in it now.

2 percent of Pakistan's 147 million people are Christians, many of them in the Punjab province. These people are boldly proclaiming the Gospel, as some even banded together to invite 300 Muslim men and women to a dinner commemorating Pakistan Independence Day. There, they presented a drama, "Freedom from Sin," shared songs, and gave testimony about how Christ had set them free, even handing out gospel literature, Bibles, and Jesus CDs.

A Quiet Witness

Parveen, a young Pakistani woman, is a Christian worker in a Muslim home. Upon learning of her faith, they beat her, bribed her to convert, threatened her, and locked her in a room for three days, away from her family. Her response: "When I was being persecuted, I didn't feel their insults. I was happy to suffer for the witness of Jesus Christ. I was feeling so proud of Him I didn't realize I was in pain from the beatings. I was praying and reciting Psalm 23 in my heart, 'The Lord is my Shepherd, I will not be afraid.'"

Redemption is Nigh

Threatened by police, imams, Al-Qaeda and the Taliban, "Salim" still distributes thousands of New Testaments, Bibles, and tracts. He has helped to establish five Sunday schools and eight house churches, in an area that is home to 27 madrassas, which are Islamic schools. Salim's prayer is, "O Lord, use my last drop of blood and build Your Kingdom here."

No wonder such a brother has been used to reach those like "Rafiq," who was trained by the Taliban and even met Osama Bin Laden. Nevertheless, Rafiq's mind began to change when he met Red Cross workers saving his life, while he had wanted to kill them. Now, Rafiq is working to teach his Muslim wife about his newfound faith, and is even preparing a comparative study of the Bible and the Koran to reach well-educated Muslims with the hope of Christ.

Pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters, and be emboldened by them.

When Jesus came to Church...

When Dr. A. J. Gordon woke up to the reality that Christ is present in the church he was revived. His ministry was transformed. His church literally passed from death to life.

He was pastor of the fashionable Clarendon Street Baptist Church of Boston. A secular worldly spirit dominated the congregation. The pews were rented. They hired unsaved singers from the opera who rendered music that was spiritually dead. The deacon dared to print a leaflet which said, "Strangers Welcome." But he was rebuked by an elder, "Why, you might get the wrong kind of people in here and run the right kind out!" Of course, everyone knew who the "right kind" were.

The pastor’s heart was deeply burdened over this situation. Pastoring became a drudgery that pressed him to the point of desperation. His people needed to repent and turn to Christ. He, therefore, spent more time on his sermons. Disappointment followed when few, if any, were converted by a week of solid toil in sermon building.

Prayer meeting was dead, too. If he could only get the people together to pray. Yet in spite of all he could do, very few even attended prayer meeting. Those who did come never rose to really pour out their hearts to God for new life in the church.

About that time the administration of the church began to come unglued. Opposition developed among some of the church officers. Then he had to work hard trying "to get the members to vote as they should." Those who should have helped actually wound up hindering.

That led to discouragement, sleepless nights and pressurized living. At last, he made a trip to the doctor who called for absolute rest as the only remedy for such strain and stress.

While struggling to minister on such hard rocky soil, Dr. Gordon fell asleep one Saturday night while preparing his sermon. He had an unusual dream. "Not that I attach any importance to dreams or ever have done so", he wrote. "I recognize it only as a dream; and yet I confess that the impression of it was so vivid that in spite of myself memory brings it back to me again, as though it were an actual occurrence in my personal ministry."

He dreamed he was in the pulpit just about to begin his sermon before a full congregation. At that moment a stranger entered and passed slowly up the left aisle of the church looking for someone who would give him a seat. Half way up the aisle a man offered him a place which was quietly accepted. Gordon’s eyes were riveted on this visitor. He wondered, "Who can that stranger be?" He determined to find out.

After the sermon, the stranger slipped out with the crowd. The pastor asked the man with whom he sat, "Can you tell me who that stranger was who sat in your pew this morning?" In the most matter of fact way he replied, "Why, do you not know that man? It was Jesus of Nazareth." Seeing the pastor’s great consternation, the man assured him, "Oh, do not be troubled. He has been here today, and no doubt he will come again."

Gordon was filled with an indescribable rush of emotion and self-examination. Why the Lord Himself was here listening to the sermon today!

"What was I saying?" he asked himself. "Was I preaching on some popular theme in order to catch the ear of the public?" With a sigh of relief he remembered that he was preaching Christ. "But in what spirit did I preach?" his conscience demanded. Was it in the spirit of one who knows that he himself is crucified with Christ? Or did the preacher manage to magnify himself while exalting Christ.

For the first time in his life, A. J. Gordon was electrified with the truth that CHRIST HIMSELF HAD ACTUALLY COME TO CHURCH! He could never again care what men thought of preaching, worship or church. "If I could only know that He was not displeased, that He would not withhold His feet from coming again because He had been grieved at what might have been seen or heard."

All of Pastor Gordon’s priorities were turned around. His life and ministry would never be the same after this. He fell at the feet of his Lord in worship and turned the administration of the church over to Him. He then taught his board and his people to let the Holy Spirit take charge.

The revival that transformed A. J. Gordon’s ministry and changed Clarendon Street Baptist Church into a powerful lighthouse had begun! That same revival awaits any church that will let the Head of the church take charge.